Robotics, AI and SmartTech News – Latest Headlines

New open-source platform cuts costs for running AI

Researchers have released a new, open-source platform called Cascade that can run artificial intelligence models in a way that slashes expenses and energy costs while dramatically improving performance.

December 8, 2023 Read more

Bioinspired flexible artificial retina marks major milestone toward sensory-enhancing wearables

Leveraging soft electronics and organic-inorganic materials, researchers create a durable artificial retina wrapped around a fiber exhibiting striking similarities to biological vision. This advance opens the door to sensory-enhancing wearable technologies.

December 7, 2023 Read more

Graphical encoding of stiffness patterns in metamaterials enables reprogrammable and adaptive soft machines

Researchers develop digitally encodable mechanical metamaterial that uses graphical stiffness patterns to encode over 563 trillion configurable states. This allows in situ programming of versatile mechanical properties and responses for the first time. The adaptive material platform promises substantial advances in soft robotics and interactive machines.

December 7, 2023 Read more

Artificial intelligence makes gripping more intuitive

New research shows that a better understanding of muscle activity patterns in the forearm supports a more intuitive and natural control of artificial limbs.

December 6, 2023 Read more

Light-controlled liquid metal strips bring new flexibility to soft robotics

Researchers develop customizable photo-responsive films that sustain complex deformations, enabling rapid prototyping of resilient multifunctional soft robots for real-world applications.

December 5, 2023 Read more

AI accelerates problem-solving in complex scenarios

A new, data-driven approach could lead to better solutions for tricky optimization problems like global package routing or power grid operation.

December 5, 2023 Read more

Using AI to find microplastics faster and more accurately

Researchers use AI to identify toxic substances in wastewater with greater accuracy and speed.

December 5, 2023 Read more

AI networks are more vulnerable to malicious attacks than previously thought

Artificial intelligence tools hold promise for applications ranging from autonomous vehicles to the interpretation of medical images. However, a new study finds these AI tools are more vulnerable than previously thought to targeted attacks that effectively force AI systems to make bad decisions.

December 5, 2023 Read more

'Body internet' may eliminate the need for smartphones

One day, humans might be able to use their touch and thoughts instead of screens to interact with the digital world.

December 5, 2023 Read more

'Undulating carpet' robot could scoop ocean microplastics (w/video)

Inspired by a small and slow snail, scientists have developed a robot protype that may one day scoop up microplastics from the surfaces of oceans, seas and lakes.

December 5, 2023 Read more

State of the art in soft microrobotics materials, fabrication and actuation

The field of soft microrobotics is entering a new era driven by advances in polymeric materials, 3D microprinting, and magnetic guidance systems enabling futuristic diagnostic and therapeutic biomedical interventions.

December 4, 2023 Read more

Soft robotic arm mimics octopus' agility with stretchable electronics

Researchers develop a soft robotic arm that mimics octopus agility using stretchable electronics, achieving dexterous functionality previously difficult for fully soft robots.

December 3, 2023 Read more

A color-based sensor for soft robots to emulate skin's sensitivity

In a step toward more autonomous soft robots and wearable technologies, researchers have created a device that uses color to simultaneously sense multiple mechanical and temperature stimuli.

December 2, 2023 Read more

Brainstorming nanomaterials with a domain-specific chatbot

By leveraging a document-retrieval method, this chatbot is knowledgeable in areas of nanomaterial science that other bots are not.

December 2, 2023 Read more

Scientists build tiny biological robots from human cells

The multicellular bots move around and help heal 'wounds' created in cultured neurons

December 1, 2023 Read more

2D material reshapes 3D electronics for AI hardware

Researchers demonstrated monolithic 3D integration of layered 2D material into novel processing hardware for artificial intelligence (AI) computing. They envision that their new approach will not only provide a material-level solution for fully integrating many functions into a single, small electronic chip, but also pave the way for advanced AI computing.

December 1, 2023 Read more

Google DeepMind adds nearly 400,000 new compounds to open-access Materials Project

The Materials Project, an open-access database founded in 2011, computes the properties of both known and predicted materials. The new dataset includes how the atoms of a material are arranged (the crystal structure) and how stable it is (formation energy).

November 29, 2023 Read more

Beetle-mimicking flapping smart wings overcome key barriers in insect-scale drones

New research demonstrates advanced flapping-wing aircraft with collision-sensing, energy-harvesting wings that enable sustained flight and environmental monitoring, overcoming key barriers towards autonomous, agile, insect-scale robots.

November 29, 2023 Read more